Windshield cleaner



oct. 3o, 192s. y 1,690,004

F.(3. FCDLBEFTTF ET AL WINDSHIELD CEANER Filed April 2o, 1925 Patented Oct. 30, 1928.

SIGNORS TO TRIGO PRODUCTS CORPORATION,

TIONl 0F NEW YORK.

PATENT OFFIC WINDSHIELD CLEANER.

A pplcation filed April 20, 1925. Serial No. 24,601.

This invention relates to Windshield cleaners, and more particularly to valve actuating mechanism therefor.

In Windshield cleaners of the type described and claimed in the prior patent to William M. Folbert-h, N o. 1,405.775,y granted February 7, 1922, there is provided automatic valve shifting mechanism controlled by a movable part of the motor and adapted to place the motor casing on opposite sides of the movable member in communication With a source of suction.

The valve is generally shifted by means of a spring4 in which energy is stored during the early portion of the stroke of the movable member to snap the valve from one position to another as the piston approaches the end of its stroke.

In the present invention, We provide a construction in which the movable lever assists the spring in shifting the valve, thus permitting the use of a weaker spring and providing a. more silent valve shifting mechanism.

An object of t-heinvention is to insure the shifting of the valve even though the valve is ffrozen orstuckto its seat.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown several embodiments of the invention. In this showing: K

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the Windshield cleaner,

Figure 2 is a` central transverse vertical seci y tional view showing the device 1n position on a windshield, Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the device removed from the windshield, suh- 4sta-ntially online 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a verticall sectional view on line 4- 4 of Figure 2, with the part-s of the motor casing removed,

Figure 5 is -a detaile'd perspective'view of the valve supporting member and valve, and,

Figure 6 is aview similar yto Figure 4 taken on line 6 6 of Figure 2f The motor and valve mechanism shown in the accompanying drawings is substantially -similar to that shown in our copending applicationon windshield cleaners, filed October 17, 1924, Serial 110.744,26), with the addition of the imprtfements forming the subject matter of the present invention..

` In the drawings, the reference numeral 1 designates aA windshield of a motor vehicle formed of glass or other transparent material and mounted in a. suitable frame 2. The windshield cleaner consists of a motor 3 adapted to be arranged on the windshield frame and secured thereto in an)y suitable manner. The motor is provided with a transverse shaft4 which extends through the frame and a cleaner arm v5 is secured thereto adjacent its outer end. The cleaner arm is provided With a holder on its lower end adapted to receive a cleaner element consisting of a backing strip 7 of metal or other rigid material and a strip of rubber 8 which is adapted to contact with the surface of the Windshield to be cleaned. The motor shaft also extends from the inner side of the motor casingl and is provided with a handle 9 to permit manual operatlon.

As shown (see Figure 3'), the motor is formed of two cup-like sections 10 which may be vformed of drawn sheet metal and which are provided with flared inner ends 11. As shown, the outer ends of the motor sections are closed, as at 12, forming the heads of the cylinder. and the inner ends are adapted to be secured to each other to form a cylinder. A band 13 of resilient material is yarranged adjacent the junction of the tivo ends of the two sections of the cylinder and partially encircles .the meeting edges'of the cylinder section to secure them to each other (see Figure 2). This band is provided with a. V- shaped groove 14 on its inner face' adapted to receive the flared ends of the cylinder sections. The portion of the cylinder sections not encircled by the band is provided with recesses .11 adapted to receive a closure plate 15. This construction provides for the ready ingress and egress of atmospheric pressure at the center of the casing Aor cylinder. This closure plate is curved in cross section and is adapted to extend partially arqund the cylinder. The

. inner face of the closure plate is provided with It pair of pistons are arranged within the cylinder and retained in spaced relation. its shown` cach piston comprises a pair of disks 2l ot metal or other rigid material. These disks are slightly smaller in diameter than the internal diameter of the cylinder and a sheet'- of packing 22 is arranged between them. .its shown. the sheet ot packing is of greater diameter than the cylinder and forms a skirt Q3. The pistons are connected to each other by a connecting member 2st. preferably formed oii sheet metal and provided with ends extending at an angle to the body ot the connecting member. Screws-26 are arranged in openings in the disks` 2l and the ends 'l5 of the connecting member. As shown` the connecting member is provided with spaced openings 2i' and is adapted to serve as a rack in transferring the movement ot the pistons` to the shaft. A segmental gear 2S is fixed on the shaft and has its teeth 29 meshing with the teeth QT ot the rack.

The enlargement 1G on the inner tace of the. closure plate is provided with an inwardly extending sleeve 3:2, forming a bearing for tbe shaft. and the shaft ext-ends through an opening formed in this sleeve and passing through the closure plate. The other end ot the sha't't. is received in a bearing 3l formed in the ends ol" the cylinder sections.

The opposite ends of the cylinder are adapted to be connected to a source of suction by means ot passages extending through the closure plate. As shown, the closure plate is provided with a main suction passage 36 having a tube 3T arranged therein and the end ot the tube is adapted to be connected to a source ot suction. such as the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine (not shown) by means of a suitable conduit (n'ot shown). As shown, the main suction passage extends transversely of the T-shaped rib on the exterior of the closure plate or longitudinally of the cylinder. The end of this passage communicates with an inclined passage 38, extending inwardly to the inner tace ot the enlargement 16 (see Figure 2). Suitable means are provided for manually7 controlling the passage of fluid through the passages 36 and 38. An inclined passage is formed in the T-shaped rib adjacent the junction of the passages 36 and 38 and this inclined passage is internally threaded for the reception of a valve stem 39. The inner end of the valve stem is adapted to engage a seat at the junction of the two passages to disconnect the passages from each other. The outer end of the stem is provided with a suitable handle 41 and a spring 42 is arranged on the. projecting portion of the stem.

A cylinder passage 43 (see Figure 3) is arranged on each side of the suction passage 38 and these passages extend outwardly in a substantially horizontal plane, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. The outer ends of these passages extend longitudinally through the T-shaped rib and suitable tubes or conduits 44 which extend longitlulimilly of the cylinders. connect. the passages to the opposite ends of the cylinders through suit able openings arranged adacent each end.

ln the valve actuating mechanism l'orming the subject matter otl our copending application Serial No. 744,269. heretofore referred to, there is provided a lever ttl which is substantially semi-circular in shape to tit. around the sleeve 32 and which is pivotally mounted on the sleeve. rl`he lower end of this lever is provided with an offset arm 53 adapted to be engaged alternately by spaced lugs on the adjacent tace of the segmental gear 23 to shift the lever on its pivot. A Isubstantially cup-shaped valve is arranged on the inner face of the enlargement l0 and is adapted to cover tl'ie central suction passage 38 and either one ot the cylinder passages 1st to establish communication between the source ot suction and either end ol the \'linder (see Figure 3). The valve is provided with a stem 5G adapted to he received in an opening 5T in one of the arms 58 ol: a substantially U-shaped valve shitting member. Heretofore. the size of the opening in the arm 53 has been substantially the same as the. sizeI of the stem to snugly receive it and the valve has been held on its seat by the valve shitting member. As shown (see Figure 5) in the present invention, the opening is elongated to permit slight relative movement ot the valve shitting member and the valve, and the valve is forced toward its seat by means ot a leai" spring 59. This spring whirh con stitutes a valve carrier or supporting member is provided with an opening adjacent its lower end to receive the valve stem 5G and is secured to the face of the enlargement 1G by means ot a bolt 60, received in an opening Gl adjacent the to j ot the spring.

The valve shititing member is pivotall'v mounted on the lower face of the sleeve fr. and movement. on its pivot is limited by a pair of depending arms (3:2 adapted to engage a stop G3 earried on the face of the enlargement. This stop may be formed of a coil spring having one end received in a suitable opening in the enlargement, the use ol' a spring serving to materially reduce the noise occasioned by the shifting of the valve. The valve shifting member and the valve actuating lever 4G are connected to each other by means of a coil spring and a floating lever4 As shown. the float-ing lever consists of a substantially semi-circular member G4, adapted to lit around the sleeve 32 and pivotally mounted on a pin or roller G5, carried by the actuating lever 4G. The upper end ol the floating lever is provided with an arm or extension 69 received in a cnt out portion of the closure plate. Theendsot this eut out portion form shoulders 70 which are adapted to be enlos llfi

gaged by t-he arm 69 to limit the movement of the floating lever. The floating lever is provided with a seat adjacent its lower end, adapted to receive one end of a coil spring 72 and the other end of the spring is connected to the base of the U-shaped valve shifting member. A

In order to insure shifting of the valve shifting lever, thev floating lever may be provided with depending arms 7 3 which will engage opposite sides of the valve shifting lever, if the valve shifting lever is'not shifted by the spring when the floating lever movesfrom one position to another. The general operation of the device is substantially the same as that described in our (ro-pending application heretofore referred to. The cleaner motor is connected to the source of suction in the usual manner, and the valve actuating lever 46 is swung on its 4 pivot by a movable part of the motor.

' is engaged by the end of the With the parts of the device in the position shown in Figures 4 and 6 of the drawings, the next movement of the valve actuating lever is in a counter-clockwise direction. y As the'flonting lever is connected to the valve. actuating lever, the first portion of the movement of thc valve actuating lever moves the floating lever from the position shown in Figures 4 and 6 of the drawings, wherein it is in engagement with the right stop 70. to a position in engagement with the left. stop. During this movement, the lovver end of the floating level' moves toward the left. placing the spring 72under tension. At the time that the valve actuating lever passes the central position, the movement of the floating lever is arrested by the shoulder 70. .Further movement of the valve actuatingr lever tovvard the left causes the valve shifting member to swing toward the right, With the upper end thereof serving as a pivot, and as the lower end moves the spring 72 beyond the center, the valve is shifted to the left. In prior constructions` the valve has been rigidly mounted on the valve shifting member, necessitating a valve spring 72 of sullicient strength to overcome the suction existingr in the passage 38 which draws the valve to its seat. By providing the supplemental valve carrier or spring 59 for the purpose of supporting the valve, the elongated slot 57 in the valve shifting member may be employed Wit-h the result that the valve shifting member tends to move before the valve and is in motion when the pin 57 slot, thus permitting the shifting of the valve with less expenditure of force and permitting the use of a weaker shifting spring 72.

The depending arms 73 of the floating lever are for the purpose of engaging the sides of the bases of the valve shifting member in the event that the sliding valve sticks to its seat and initially moving this member. This eliminates the possibility of the valve becoming frozen on itsseat and also permits the use of a weaker spring 72, reducing the noise incidental to shifting the valve.

It is to be understood that the forni of our invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

, We claim:

1. A snap over valve mechanism for fluid motors comprising a valve shifting member, a spring connected to said valve shifting member to effect movement thereof, means actuated' by the movement' of a movable part of the motor to store up energy in said spring to effect movement of the valve shifting niember, a valve loosely connected to said valve shifting member to permit slight independentl movement thereof, vand valve supporting means resiliently retaining said valve on its seat.

2. A snap over valve. mechanism 'for fluid motors comprising a valve shifting member, a spring connected to said valve shifting member to eil'ectmovement thereof, means actuated by the movement of a movable part of the motor to store up energy in said spring to effect movement of the valve shifting inember, a valve loosely connected to said valve. shifting member to permit slight independent movement thereof, and a leaf spring pivoted at one end and connected at its opposite end to said valve to support and'retain it on its seat.

3. A valve mechanism'for windshield cl-eaner motors, comprising a valve, a pivoted valve carrier yieldably pressing the valve to its seat, a rockable valve shifting member having a play connection With said valve to permit an initial idling movement of said shifting member preliminary to shifting the valve` and resilient means operable from a moving part of the mptor to store up energy therein during the idling movement of the shifting member. for expenditure on the latter to effect a shift ofthe valve.

4. Valve mechanism for'windshield cleaner motors, comprising a support, a rockable valve shifting member pivoted at one side thereon, on said support and movable from a moving part of the motor, a spring connecting the member to the lever and movable by the latter to opposite sides of the mounting of said member to permit said spring to snap 4said member back and forth about its mounting. said spring holding both said member and said lever against displacement from the support, said lever having spaced arms extending on opposite sides of said member for engaging the same to initiate movement of the member in the event the latter does not move under the action of the spring, and n valve llO a lever pivoted at the opposite Side having a play connection with and operable by .said member.

5. Valve mechanism t'or windshield cleaner motors, coniprising a support, a rockable valve shifting member pivoted thereon, a lever pivoted on said support and movable from a moving part ot the motor, a spring connecting the member to the lever and Inovable by the latter to opposite sides of the mounting of said member to permit said spring to snap said member back and forth about its mounting, said lever having spaced arms` extending on opposite sides of said member Vt'or engaging the same to initiate movement of the member in the event the latter does not move under the action of the spring, a pivotally mounted leat spring, and a valve .swingingly `arried by said leaf spring and having a playY connection with said shifting member.

o. A valve mechanism for windshield cleaner motors, comprisingr a support, a rockable valve shitting member having spaced arms pivoted on said support, a lever niember having a part extending between the arms of said shitting member` said part having spaced arms straddling the shifting member and engageable therewith, a spring connectingr the lever member to the shitting member at a point between the spaced arms ol' each member, a second lever member pivotcd on the support and pivotally supporting said tirst lever member, spaced stop portions with which said first lever member is alternately engageable by said second lever member to serve as tulcrum supports for said first lever member whereb3v said First lever member will act to position .said spring for operatingr sait! shifting member, said second lever member being operable with a moving part of the motor, and a valve having a pla connection with and shiftable by said shittingr member. 'i'. A valve mechanism t'or tluid motors` comprising a support, a valve, a valve shift ing member rockahle on the support, a spring.' connected at one end to the shitting member to operatively position the same, a lever hav ing its longer arm connected to the opposite, end ot the spring, .Laid longer arm having spaced parts for alternately engaging said shitting member to initiate movement thereof in the event that said shitting member does not move under the action ot' the spring. spaced stops with which the shorter arm of said lever is alternately cngageable to fulcrum thereon when positioning the spring, anda member niovable back and forth b v and during movement ot' a movable part of the motor and carrying said lever to first bring said shorter arm of .said lever alternatel)v into engagement with said stops and then con tiniie the movement of said lever about the engaged stops as a tnlcrum to efl'eet a springpositioning movement otl said longer arm and a movement, of said arm parts respectively into engagement with said Shifting ineilnber in the event. the latter does not move under thel action ot said sprintf. In testimony whereof, tures.

FREDERICK (il. FOLBERTH. 1WILLIAM M. FOLBIRTH.

we affix our signa 

